Stroud selected for Southland Conference Hall of Honor

Enterprise Staf, Beaumont Enterprise

By Enterprise Staff

Updated 5:02 pm, Monday, May 12, 2014

Chris Stroud eyes his putt on hole 10 in the Shell Houston Open. The former Lamar University menâs golfer will be inducted into the Southland Conference Hall of Honor, the league office announced Monday. Enterprise file photo
Photo: Randy Edwards

Chris Stroud eyes his putt on hole 10 in the Shell Houston Open....

Chris Stroud tees off from the ninth hole during the first round of the Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 26, 2012. Stroud finished the day 6-under par, one shot behind the leaders. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF

Chris Stroud tees off from the ninth hole during the first round of...

Chris Stroud is looking to get back on track at The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Verda Beach, Fla. The former Port Neches-Groves and Lamar star has missed the cut his past two tournaments. Enterprise file photo
Photo: Randy Edwards

Chris Stroud is looking to get back on track at The PLAYERS...

CROMWELL, CT- JUNE 23: Chris Stroud celebrates after chipping in a birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff against Ken Duke during the final round of the 2013 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 23, 2012 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Photo: Jared Wickerham, Staff

CROMWELL, CT- JUNE 23: Chris Stroud celebrates after chipping in a...

CROMWELL, CT- JUNE 23: Chris Stroud celebrates after chipping in a birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff against Ken Duke during the final round of the 2013 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 23, 2012 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Photo: Jared Wickerham, Staff

CROMWELL, CT- JUNE 23: Chris Stroud celebrates after chipping in a...

CROMWELL, CT- JUNE 23: Chris Stroud hits a shot from the bunker on the 15th hole during the final round of the 2013 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 23, 2012 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Photo: Jared Wickerham, Staff

CROMWELL, CT- JUNE 23: Chris Stroud hits a shot from the bunker on...

Former Port Neches-Groves and Lamar star Chris Stroud practices Tuesday at the driving range at the Golf Club of Houston for this week's Shell Houston Open in Humble. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )
Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Staff

Former Port Neches-Groves and Lamar star Chris Stroud practices...

Chris Stroud chips to the green on hole 1 at the Shell Houston Open on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Humble.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise
Photo: Randy Edwards

Chris Stroud chips to the green on hole 1 at the Shell Houston Open...

Chris Stroud tips his hat on the ninth hole after finishing the day at 6 under par, one stroke behind the leaders, during the first round of the Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF

Chris Stroud tips his hat on the ninth hole after finishing the day...

Chris Stroud reacts after making par on the ninth hole, narrowly missing a birdie which would have tied the lead, on his final shot of the day during the first round of the Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 26, 2012. Stroud finished 6-under par, one stroke behind the leaders. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF

Chris Stroud reacts after making par on the ninth hole, narrowly...

Chris Stroud iwent to Lamar University. He is a professional golfer. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Chris Stroud iwent to Lamar University. He is a professional...

Chris Stroud checks his notes after finishing his first nine holes at the Shell Houston Open on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Humble.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise
Photo: Randy Edwards

Chris Stroud checks his notes after finishing his first nine holes...

Chris Stroud swings his arm as the ball hooks around the hole on his final hole at the Shell Houston Open on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Humble.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Chris Stroud swings his arm as the ball hooks around the hole on...

Chris Stroud watches his drive on the second hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)
Photo: Fred Beckham, FRE

Chris Stroud watches his drive on the second hole during the final...

Chris Stroud checks his notes with his caddy on hole 12 while fighting the wind at the Shell Houston Open on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Humble.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise
Photo: Randy Edwards

Former Port Neches-Groves and Lamar star Chris Stroud practices Tuesday at the driving range at the Golf Club of Houston for this week's Shell Houston Open in Humble. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )
Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Staff

Former Port Neches-Groves and Lamar star Chris Stroud practices...

Chris Stroud lines up a shot on the first hole during the second round of the Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Friday, April 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Photo: Gerald Herbert, STF

"We are thrilled to induct Chris Stroud and Bobby Keasler into the Hall of Honor," Southland commissioner Tom Burnett said. "Chris is an appropriate representative as the first golf student-athlete to enter the Hall, and his successful performance on the PGA Tour is indicative of an ability honed at Lamar University while competing for Southland and NCAA championships. Coach Keasler led an incredible era of McNeese State football success, and his high performing teams including many of the best football student-athletes in Southland history."

One of the all-time great golfers in Southland history, Stroud guided the Cardinals to three Southland titles and four consecutive NCAA Regional Championship appearances, which included a 13th-place finish in his final two seasons. A two-time conference individual champion (2001 and 2003), Stroud fired a 6-under par 210 to tie for fifth at an NCAA Regional and secure a bid to the 2003 NCAA Championships. Stroud posted one of the best finishes in school and league history when he tied for third at the NCAA tournament after carding a 2-over par 290. His strong showing would earn him Ping First-Team All-America honors, becoming the first Cardinal to receive All-America recognition since 1986, and only the sixth Cardinal in school history to receive the distinction.

Stroud made his presence known early in his Southland career, earning player and freshman of the year honors in 2001. Stroud is the only player to earn both those distinctions in the same season.

A native of Groves, Texas, Stroud graduated from Lamar in 2004 with a degree in business administration and management information systems. He is one of the school's most decorated athletes. The former Southland freshman of the year is the only golfer in league history to be named golfer of the year four consecutive seasons. He also is a two-time Ping American and led the Cardinals to conference titles in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Stroud's career has continued well beyond his collegiate days as a professional. Stroud, who turned pro in 2004, has posted several top-20 finishes in the past year in PGA Tour events, including third-place finishes at the CIMB Classic and the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. His most recent top-10 finish came back in March when he shot a 15-under par 273 at the Puerto Rico Open. Stroud's best PGA Tour finish in 2013 was at the Travelers Championship when he finished second after losing in a sudden-death playoff to Ken Duke.

"Chris is a huge asset to Lamar University and the Southland Conference because of the recognition he brings through his professional career," Lamar golf coach Brian White said. "We knew there was something special about Chris the moment he stepped on campus. To be named Southland freshman and golfer of the year in the same season is not an easy task.

"Chris' greatest asset is his desire to succeed. As a player, he always set lofty goals and would stop at nothing to try to achieve those goals. In my coaching career, I've never been around a stronger competitor than Chris. His desire to win, to beat everyone on the course, and be the best really sets him apart."